7 Magical places to stay that your kids will love

Choose a magical, child-friendly woodland lodge to fuel your family's imagination for your trip and spend your days exploring the ancient forests of Scotland. 

From Glen Dye Cabins & Cottages with their colourful interiors to Cairngorm Lodges on the wild edges of the Cairngorms National Park, let the kids roam for hours outdoors, building dens in the mature woodland surrounding the cabins or roasting marshmallows by an outdoor fire pit.  

Find log cabins, holiday lodges and chalets in Scotland 

Step back in history and let the dreams of little knights and princesses come true with a stay in a real castle or grand country estate. Kids can explore wide corridors and winding staircases or blow off steam in the surrounding grounds, whilst you enjoy a little bit of luxury on your trip to Scotland. 

Consider Crossbasket Castle Hotel, a beautifully restored 17th-century retreat near Glasgow with elegant rooms and riverside grounds, or Crieff Hydro in Perthshire, which boasts beautiful interiors, chandeliers and plenty of entertainment for young royals, from pony rides and tree-top adventures to swimming and organised activities. 

Stay in a castle in Scotland

Wake up to the sound of sheep in the green fields nearby, enjoy muddy walks splashing in puddles, or meet the farm residents from chickens to our beloved Highland coos! 

Get a feel for what it’s like to live on a working farm at Newton Farm Holidays in Angus, Solsgirth Farm Estate in Clackmannanshire, or Guardswell Farm with its rustic cottages and off-grid huts in Perthshire. Go on a family farm tour and meet the animals, including goats, cows and sheep, book an alpaca experience, or order a picnic and eat al fresco on the farm. 

Book a stay on a working farm 

With a dramatic shoreline and magical islands to discover, you can see Scotland from a completely different perspective with a stay in a lighthouse. Light up imaginations with the unique opportunity, spending the days adventuring along the coast. Look to the skies to spot seabirds circling high above you or see seals as they bop up and down in the waves. You might even spot dolphins swimming on the horizon. 

Stay in a lighthouse 

Have a fun day out sampling the offering in local shops and help your kids choose fresh Scottish ingredients to make a meal for the whole family. It’s a great way to get your kids trying locally sourced food, such as crisp vegetables, tangy cheese and succulent meat – plus they’ll get a massive sense of achievement from helping to prepare the meal. Once the kids are asleep, slow down and watch the flames roaring in a wood-burning stove or wrap up warm and sit beneath starry skies. 

Find self-catering accommodation in Scotland 

There are plenty of unforgettable stays in Scotland where you can marvel at iconic spots from your front door or make memories bringing the past to life in our well-preserved historic cottages.  

Stay at Eilean Donan Castle Cottages, where families can holiday on the site of one of Scotland’s most photographed castles. Visit the centuries-old blackhouses at Gearrannan Blackhouse Village in the Outer Hebrides, where kids can step back in time while still enjoying modern comforts like underfloor heating. Many National Trust properties also offer accommodation on site, so you can wake up with expansive views across the gardens or head to a castle straight after breakfast. 

See National Trust properties you can stay in  

Find cottages for your holiday in Scotland 

Experience the wonder of waking up amid a canopy of trees in a family treehouse, or make the great outdoors part of the adventure with a kid-friendly stay at a caravan park or campsite in Scotland.  

Try Silversands Holiday Park near Lossiemouth, where kids and run between dunes and coastal paths, feeling the sand between their toes. There’s also a playground, sports court and indoor pool. Or experience the postcard-perfect location of Harvest Moon Holidays where you can hunt for shells on the idyllic stretch of beach, cycle through woodland and keep your eyes peeled for rare birds and red squirrels overhead. They’ll adore the safari-style tents and wooden treehouses, too. 

Find caravan parks and campsites in Scotland